Fabrication and characterization of photonic crystal slab waveguides and application to ultra-fast all-optical switching devices

Current status of two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D-PC) slab waveguide technologies and application to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) has been reviewed. The emphasis is placed on our recent advancement on theoretical design, fabrication and characterization of the 2D-PC-based defect-waveguides such as straight, 60/spl deg/-bend, coupled-cavity waveguides and directional coupler, essential for the PIC application. A research scenario and technical key issues for application to an ultra-fast and ultra-small symmetrical Mach-Zehnder (SMZ)-type all-optical switch are also addressed.